Apparently, this actually tickles

If someone told you to put your arm into a fish tank, you might be a bit nervous right? Now imagine putting your bright-coloured toenails into a tank of swimming fish, ready to give you a pedicure. Did we just get more nervous?

It’s the new craze that has been seen in a spa in northern Virginia, a service that has been offered for the past four months. John Ho, who runs the Yvonne Hair and Nails salon with his wife told thestar.com that at least 5,000 people have tried this new fishy method so far.

“This is a good treatment for everyone who likes to have nice feet,” Ho told thestar.com.

Ho himself wanted to find an alternative way for pedicures that use razors, because over the past years, many concerns have been raised over sanitary issues.

When he first heard of the fish, who are called garra rufa, or “Doctor Fish,” Ho admits he was skeptical at first. He didn’t know if the fish could survive in warm-foot-bath water, but when he tried it, the fish immediately gave in.

The “Doctor Fish” swam around for food and since there was no plant or aquatic life, they ended up feeding on dead and flaking skin. With no teeth to bite, live skin can never be harmed.

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Arti Hello World, I am a second-year journalism student in Toronto. I love investigating western and foreign culture and finding out the endless possibilities with living and fashion. People say it's my blood to be cheap, but I use it as a tool to be a smart-shopper.
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